Pardew: Class needed if Cabaye departs

25 August 2013 09:17

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits he could lose Yohan Cabaye and has said the club must work on identifying a high-quality replacement for his influential French midfielder.

Cabaye was once again sidelined for the grim goalless draw with West Ham at St James' Park as transfer speculation continues to rage over Cabaye, with both Arsenal and Paris St Germain said to be preparing improved bids.

Pardew said: "The situation is quite simple - we need to resolve the situation. We need to get ourselves in a position where if he stays, great, and if doesn't stay we need to get someone equally as good."

Pardew thought his side were primed to pinch all three points in injury time when substitute Sammy Ameobi's floated cross struck the inside of the post and bounced out for Yoan Gouffran, who somehow contrived to scoop the ball over the bar.

Pardew added: "Sammy hit a great little cross and I thought it was in, then it came back on the wrong side for Gouffran - he'll be sweating on the Christmas gaffes for misses of the season.

"I think we looked a more disciplined and cohesive defensive unit but in the offensive areas you could tell we needed a few more options off the bench.

"It would have been nice to have more senior players to bring on, but I can walk out of here fairly happy that we've put in a professional performance, if not a performance that we really wanted."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce maintained his personal unbeaten record at St James' Park since his departure as Newcastle boss, but like Pardew blamed a lack of sharpness up front for his side's blank scoresheet.

Allardyce said: "We've got to improve on that scenario - I watched Chelsea beat Aston Villa in midweek and they didn't create as many chances as us today.

"You've got to finish your chances off. It was great to keep a clean sheet again and these are great points for us, but we have got to start being more clinical in front of goal."